FiFi 2008

The FiFi Awards (Fragrance Foundation) were held on Tuesday night in New York City. Vera Wang received the Hall of Fame Award.

Says the FiFi President, Rochelle Bloom, “Vera Wang is, and continues to be, a tremendous influence in the fragrance industry. Vera's contributions include the highly successful Vera Wang, Sheer Veil, Bouquet, and Truly Pink fragrances as well as the most recent introduction of Vera Wang Princess and Flower Princess. Throughout her career, Vera has been recognized for her significant achievements in fashion and on behalf of the entire fragrance industry, we are honored to present her with the prestigious Hall of Fame award.”

Congrats to Vera!

Some of the other nominees included:

Bath & Body Line of the Year

Aromatherapy Sleep Collection – Bath & Body Works
L’eau D’Issey Pour Homme – Beauté Prestige International
Mangosteen Bath Collection – Fresh
***Origins Organics – Origins Natural Resources*** WINNER
Prada Infusion d’Iris – Puig Beauty & Fashion Group

**Don't really agree with any of these choices... I adore the small, home-made companies like Product Body and Pure Necessities! Stop the conglomerates!!!

Fragrance of the Year – Women’s Nouveau Niche

Bond No. 9 New York Andy Warhol Silver Factory (unisex) – Bond No. 9 New York
Bond No. 9 New York Bryant Park – Bond No. 9 New York
Gucci by Gucci – P&G Prestige Products, Inc.
***Prada Infusion d’Iris – Puig Beauty & Fashion Group*** WINNER
Versace – EuroItaly

Fragrance of the Year – Women’s Luxe

Chanel Chance Eau Fraîche – Chanel
Coach – BeautyBank
***Daisy Marc Jacobs – Coty Prestige*** WINNER
Dolce & Gabbana the one – P&G Prestige Products, Inc.
Emporio Armani Diamonds – Giorgio Armani Parfums
Kelly Calèche – Hermès
Nina by Nina Ricci – Puig Beauty & Fashion Group

Do YOU own/ wear any of these fragrances? Do you even care about the ceremony???

Celebs in attendance at the 2008 FiFi Awards ("the Oscars of fragrance") included Minka Kelly, Kim Raver, Dannity Kane, and Taylor Momsen (of our fave show, Gossip Girl! pictured below)

How cute is her hair?! Side bun... messy, side-swept bangs... the Spring Hair Trend is here in full effect!

A-List Skincare

There's only one thing better then the Kinara Spa skincare line... the actual spa! Until we get the real deal, we'll settle for this...

Kinara first opened on Robertson Boulevard in 2003. It has since been a celebrity-flocked frenzy seeing the likes of such A-listers as Halle Berry, Naomi Watts, Jennifer Garner, Kristin Davis, and Amanda Bynes. The spa is said to be an oasis of relaxation and rejuvenation... the skincare line is pretty incredible too.

I recently tried the Kinara oily skin line: Purifying Cleansing Gel with green apple, Balancing Tonic with salicylic acid, Lemon Eycalyptus Hydrator, and Lactic Acid Hydrating Serum. The products are gentle and fresh, all working in conjunction to unclog and refine pores, reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, hydrate and soothe the skin.

My absolute favorite product is the Lactic Acid Hydrating Serum. Says the company, "This light, penetrating serum is an age-fighting powerhouse blend of purifying and anti-aging ingredients. This multi-benefit serum combats skin eruptions, unclogs and refines pores and rejuvenates damaged skin." It's not an oil, so it won't make your already oily skin more oily. It actually completely soaks into the skin leaving your face hydrated and glowing. It's truly extraordinary! PRICE TAG: $70.00

Kinara also makes products for dry, sensitive, and acne-prone skin types. If you click HERE you can find custom skin programs designed to fight whatever skin ailment you are dealing with.

Your face deserves the A-list treatment... and you can have it all from the comfort and privacy of your own bathroom!

WEEKLY MUST-HAVE!

I'm a huge fan of products that offer the same/ similar results as having a service rendered, yet you can use the product from your own house (much easier then driving to an office) AND it's usually way cheaper!

For example, a really great skin lightener as oppose to laser treatment, an amazing "wrinkle eraser" instead of botox, an awesome lip plumper instead of that painful restylane.  A teeth whitening product as oppose to the dentist office (who doesn't loathe the dentist, right?)...  Okay, you get the point.

A couple of weeks ago, a friend of mine was raving about Listerine's Whitening Pre-Brush Rinse. She couldn't believe how much whiter her teeth had been looking... and the compliments she was receiving, well, let's just say that a compliment is solid insurance that she'll be buying the rinse again.

Of course, I just had to try the rinse for myself... and let me tell you, I see major results!  My pearly whites are way whiter and my mouth is bursting with freshness!  I've used regular Listerine for years, and always loved the way it made my mouth feel.... this rinse is no exception!  I love that you use it prior to brushing your teeth because it really seems to "wake up" my mouth!  And it has a pretty cool taste too (I mean, would you expect anything less???)!

A word (or several...) from the company:

"The dynamic foaming action of LISTERINE® WHITENING® bursts into action, penetrating teeth to help prevent stain buildup and whiten your smile. "

About $8.00 for the bottle.... and worth it!

Weekend Beauty Reads...

Christine at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic shares her tip for fast and easy pefect manicures and pedicures!
Beauty Anonymous shares her first impressions of Chanel Summer 2008 Makeup Collection!
Makeup Moxie reviews Hourglass Superficial Lash mascara.
Cybelesays finds their next addition to the Hall of Fame! A straightening iron that gets strands stick straight.
StyleBell reviews one of the best flat irons on the market the GHD. Move over CHI!
A Touch of Blusher can't decide which new eye palette to get...
Savvy Skin picks her favorite drugstore sunscreen - Blue Lizard sunscreen.
Beauty and Personal Grooming writes about Aspirin face masks.
Beauty Blogging Junkie scores an exclusive interview with Daisy Fuentes about her new perfume, Dianoche Ocean.
Face Candy dishes on the brand new Vincent Longo Collection- Shimmer, Glimmer & Shine.
The Makeup Divas reviews Sue Devitt's Eye Intensifier Pencil in Zaire.
The Muse reviews Majorca Majolica's HOT Summer Collection from Japan and shares a FOTD!
Beauty Banter checks out more Spring Hair Trends... with pics and products!
Hello Dollface features Celebrity fashion and beauty!
Beauty Junkie in SF scopes out hot new makeup from Kat Von D
Want to achieve cream blush perfection? Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog shows you the only brush you need for a flawless, airbrushed look: Sonia Kashuk's Flat Top Blusher Brush.
Nars takes Joy from Makeup Junkie to South Beach thanks to The Multiple in South Beach!
This week, Spoiled Pretty is giving you a chance to win SPINLASH - the mascara with a rotating brush that simultaneously separates, curls, coats, lengthens and volumizes eyelashes. Intrigued? Of course you are. Enter right now!
Toya does her Mother's Day FOTD with products from the Sally Hansen Natural Beauty line (inspired by Carmindy)!

More Sex in a NEW City

We're definitely feeling SJP's look here at the Berlin premiere of Sex and the City Movie from May 15, 2008.

The side bun is fun and flirty (thank God she got rid of the flower pot atop her head... and as we keep mentioning, buns are ALL the rave for spring!) and her makeup is fresh and youthful (we're loving the nude gloss). And on a little fashion tip, this dress is 100 percent better then that lime green disaster she wore in London.

All in all, SJP scores an 8 out of 10!

What do YOU think?

WHO GIVES BEST SEXY FACE?!?

If you're a woman (or a gay man) living in America, you're probably counting down the days until the highly anticipated Sex and the City Movie (14 days to go!) premieres....

And if you're like me, one of the main reason you're so stoaked to see the movie is because you just can't wait to have a look at all the fabulous fashion and beauty trends!

So, as a little fashion and beauty preview, Beauty Banter wants to know... who do YOU think gave best face at the London premiere of Sex and the City: The Movie!


Sarah Jessica Parker (what the f*^# is that thing on her head?!? A flower pot?!)


Cynthia Nixon (love the side boob action... who knew lesbians had such sexy style?!)


Kim Cattrall (ehhh... the hair do makes her look 50... which she probably is, but still, don't you always wanna look younger?!)


Kristen Davis (very Charlotte-esque - simple, a wee boring, and very safe).

We vote for Cynthia Nixon! How about you?



Pics from the London premiere, May 12, 2008

Another Take on the Spring Hair Trend

As I mentioned in the Shiri Appleby post, the "bun/ braid" look is perfect for Spring... easy, care-free, and super sexy.

Beauty Banter contributing editor, Di Gaeta, shows us her take on the new do! Di says the style took her all of 5 minutes... her hair is in that "growing out" phase and she wants it out of her face as it continues to grow. So she pulled the back to the nape of her neck, pinned with bobby pins, then took her bangs and braided them to the side - not a french braid - just a regular old-fashioned braid.




Di says the trick is not letting the hair look too "done-up." Wispy's and fly-away pieces make the style that much more beachy and summer-chic! Di also added a head band for a more sophisticated, night-time effect.

She used Wen by Chaz Dean as a styling cream on dry hair. Says Di, "I rubbed a dollop on my hands and worked it into my bangs. It has a similar effect as a pomaide - giving my hair texture so that the braid holds."

How cute is this do?!


Do you have your own take on this Spring hair trend? We want to see! Email pics to: beautybanter@gmail.com.

Thymes' Red Cherry Body Care

The new Thymes collection is amazing! Red Cherry is all the rave for Summer - fresh, fruity, ripe, and full of sweetness! When I open up my scrub and take a whiff of the wonderful pomegranate, red cherry, passion fruit, and jasmine, I can't help but think of sun-soaked days and summer nights!

The collection includes Exfoliating Body Scrub ($27), AHA Body Lotion ($28), Liquid Foaming Bath ($23), and Body Wash ($19). I've only tried the scrub and lotion.

The Scrub is incredible... the sugar crystals exfoliate without being too harsh (the consistency is like a battered sugar cookie mix), leaving skin smooth and silky. This is a great everyday scrub as it is gentle and calming.



The Lotion is good too, although the smell is very overwhelming, but I like that it includes AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) which further helps to get rid of dead skin cells while also moisturizing the skin. It also contains shea butter, vitamin E, and passion fruit extracts (known to calm the skin).



WARNING: This is a very potent scented product line, so if you're not into fragrance, you probably won't be into these products.